MANILA – Foreign officials and math experts have expressed confidence and trust in the Philippines in hosting the 2017 International Teenagers Mathematics Olympiad (ITMO) in November.

The Philippines will hold the 2017 International Teenagers Mathematics Olympiad (ITMO) in Davao City from November 8 to 12 that has attracted 18 countries so far including China, Russia, Bulgaria, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Africa, and Taiwan.

Leaders and math experts from Thailand, Taiwan and Indonesia flew to Davao City to inspect the contest venue and tour sites that will be visited by team leaders and contestants. They were accompanied by officers from the Mathematics Trainers Guild-Philippines (MTG) led by chief operating officer Dr. Simon Chua.

The foreign delegates were impressed when they toured Davao City including the Waterfront Insular Hotel and Grand Regal Hotel, the contest venue, which will also house the delegates.

“I trust the Philippine team and MTG. This activity is to promote students to participate (in math contests). I always trust every time I think about the Philippines organizing a math competition,” said Dr. Pramote Kajornpai, adviser to Thailand’s Office of the Basic Education Commission under the Ministry of Education, during a press conference in Manila.

Other foreign delegates who visited Davao City were Taiwan’s Prof. Sun Wen-Hsien, chairman of the International Mathematics Competition (IMC) Executive Board; Indonesia’s Dr. Elvira SH, chairperson of the International Mathematics and Science Olympiad (IMSO) Executive Council; Dr. Pornpun Intraprasert, IMSO auditor; Radklao Nuiman, educator from Thailand; and Sun Chen Pao Feng.
The foreign visitors also met Davao City’s local officials who said the city will provide security, first-aid and ambulance during the competition.

Preparations for ITMO are in full swing, according to Dr. Isidro Aguilar, MTG president.

“We are very proud that the Philippines will host another international math contest and we are excited to show Davao City to the foreign contestants and team leaders,” he said.

The Philippines through MTG has hosted several international math competitions including the International Mathematics and Science Olympiad (IMSO) for Primary School Students in 2011 in Naga City and 2013 in Alfonso, Cavite; and the Philippine International Mathematics Competition (PIMC) in 2009 in Iloilo City.